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Washington, D.C.—Today Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34) released the following statement ahead of President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“I will attend tonight’s address to the Joint Session of Congress with my guest, Chef José Andrés, a leader in demanding respect for hard-working immigrants and undocumented individuals—individuals who are deeply woven into the fabric of our country. José and I are attending to remind the President that we are nothing if not a nation of immigrants.

During the chaotic first weeks of the Trump Administration, immigrants and undocumented individuals have been indiscriminately labeled as criminals and have been slated for deportation. This deportation policy and his “Muslim” ban are despicable and extremely damaging to our core principles as a Nation. Tonight, the President has an opportunity to chart a new course. He should start by healing the wounds of our deeply divided country by unequivocally denouncing the spread of xenophobic anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic acts that have proliferated in the wake of his Electoral College victory. He should also immediately halt the indiscriminate deportation of immigrants and re-establish the economic and culturally beneficial relationship we have with Mexico. However, the difference between what he should do and what he will likely do is vast, and based on his first five weeks in office, I’m not holding my breath.”